GWM have listened and we now have the diesel Tank 300 2.4 T.
Image: Supplied
I first saw GWM’s Tank 300 at the Shanghai Auto show in 2023 and knew that with its rugged looks and Chinese Brands’ competitive pricing that it would definitely find favour in South Africa.
Great Wall Motors has been here for almost three decades, having made its mark with Haval and P-Series bakkies, so they understand the SA local psyche well.
The first Tanks arrived with 2.0-litre petrol and hybrid models, which were thirsty and struggled to tow anything significant.
Range
The South African leisure market thrives on diesel because of its improved consumption and better torque. GWM listened, and so now we have the Tank 300 2.4 T in either Luxury, Super Luxury or Ultra Luxury trim.
We had the Ultra Luxury on test, which gets a front differential lock, Nappa heated, ventilated and massage seats, eight-way electrically adjusted driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, nine-speaker Infinity audio system, wireless charging pad and 64-colour ambient lighting. Really!
Exterior
There’s something about a boxy 4x4 that stirs the soul, and here the Tank 300 has the aerodynamics of a brick, not unlike the previous generation Defender.
It certainly attracts attention with its aggressive grille, flared wheel arches, side-steps and round LED headlamps with a protruding lightbar.
Interestingly, the bumpers protrude quite far from the body, possibly to shield the panels from damage should you hit an obstacle. It’s easier and cheaper to repair or replace a bumper as opposed to a body panel.
It stands on 18-inch chrome alloys, which in this iteration are more road-biased.
Interior
It’s very much a premium interior, and what struck me was the quality of the materials and how well it has been put together.
The soft-touch areas wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury German car, and the plastic bits feel like they’ll survive for a long time with daily wear and tear.
Obviously, it’s all digital glass (12.3” LCD instrument cluster) and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
The infotainment system is recessed into the dash, making everyday adjustments a bit of a schlepp and with the seat fairly far back to accommodate my frame, I found myself having to stretch.
Also, the cruise control stalk is hidden behind the steering wheel, so you have to go by feel, and unless you’re going to be travelling long distances, it’s easier just to ignore it.
Overall, though, it’s a very pleasant space to while away your time.
The GWM Tank interior is a comfortable place to spend time.
Image: Supplied
Engine
The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine provides 135kW and 480Nm, coupled to a nine-speed electronic automatic transmission driving all four wheels.
There are seven off-road driving modes selected via a dial on the centre console.
Driving
The driving position and seats are almost outrageously comfortable, and thanks to double-glazed glass and an insulated engine bay, there’s no indication that you’re driving an oil burner.
Like all ladder-framed chassis, the drive is somewhat compromised, but I’ll take that for the advantages it provides off-road, because ultimately that’s why you’d want to own one.
At low speed driving, the software between the throttle, gearbox and engine takes a while to talk to each other, sending you from zero to hero as you try to feather the accelerator.
As an owner, you’ll probably find a happy medium after a while, but it’s difficult to understand why many Chinese manufacturers have the same issue.
Once you’re cruising, though, it happily gets on with gobbling up the tar and the gearbox, then provides smooth and effortless changes.
When the black stuff ends, that’s when you really get to appreciate the Tank 300 with none of the calibration issues once you switch to 4H or 4L.
I played around briefly in an area close to where I stay, and while it’s not a car-crusher, there’s enough to give an idea of what it's capable of.
With low range and front and rear differential locks, there aren’t many places the Tank won’t get to, even when I selected a hopelessly incorrect line.
Combined with a 33-degree approach angle, 34-degree departure angle, a climbing capability of up to 70%, 224mm of ground clearance, Tank Turn, see-through chassis functionality via the 360-degree camera system, and a wading depth of 700mm, the Tank 300 will outscore many more established manufacturers.
GWM claims fuel consumption figures of 7.7l/100km, but ours hovered around the 9l/100km, which could be because it had just over 2,000 kilometres on it. However, once you start towing, adding rooftop tents, and loading it with fridges and other accessories, expect to get closer to 11l/100km.
The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine provides 135kW and 480Nm coupled to a nine-speed electronic automatic transmission.
Image: Supplied
Safety
It has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, a level two autonomous driving classification, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, automatic emergency braking, rear collision warning, traffic sign recognition, rear cross traffic assist with braking, a 360° view camera, and a full complement of airbags.
Verdict
The Tank 300 2.4 T, ranging from R649 900 to R739 900, is a welcome addition to the leisure segment, and we’re seeing more of them on the road.
With a fantastically comfortable and modern interior and a string of off-road additions that make more expensive options blush, it would certainly be on my short list if I were looking for another true off-roader.